PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Leeroy Lamalmar (ranked 2185 p4p, 119 weight class) and Matel Huchkov (ranked 1814 p4p, 96 weight class). Matel Huchkov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Leeroy Lamalmar's chin.

Lamalmar
vs
Huchkov

168 cm
26
140 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

170 cm
37
143 lbs
22 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leeroy Lamalmar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matel Huchkov!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jonathan Paton and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Huchkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lamalmar scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lamalmar misses with a looping left.
Huchkov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lamalmar's hands.
Huchkov walks into a stiff left hand from Lamalmar.
Huchkov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Lamalmar looks to land a left hand but Huchkov moved out of range nicely.
Lamalmar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Huchkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Lamalmar.
Lamalmar misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lamalmar looks to land a right hand but Huchkov moved out of range.
Huchkov throws a hook to the side of Lamalmar's head but Lamalmar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lamalmar keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Huchkov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Lamalmar cracks Huchkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lamalmar finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Huchkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Huchkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lamalmar lands a jab.
Lamalmar swings for the body but Huchkov moves out of range.
Lamalmar has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Extreme Training Facility in the buildup to the fight.
Lamalmar tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Huchkov misses.

Huchkov has Lamalmar up against the cage in a clinch.

Huchkov breaks the clinch.
Matel Huchkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lamalmar misses with a low kick.
Huchkov moves in looking to clinch but Lamalmar pushes him off.
Huchkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Lamalmar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Huchkov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Lamalmar fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Huchkov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Huchkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lamalmar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Huchkov throws the kick towards the body but Lamalmar avoids it.
Lamalmar finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Huchkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lamalmar as he jumps to the side.
Leeroy Lamalmar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matel Huchkov.
Lamalmar misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lamalmar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Huchkov.
Huchkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lamalmar but Lamalmar pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lamalmar takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Huchkov feints and as Lamalmar raises his hands in defense, Huchkov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Huchkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lamalmar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Huchkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Huchkov postures up in Lamalmar's guard and throws a big left but Lamalmar blocks it.
Huchkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Lamalmar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lamalmar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Huchkov.
Huchkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Huchkov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lamalmar dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Huchkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lamalmar content to stall in guard here.

Huchkov looking for subs off his back but Lamalmar has passed one foot through into half guard.
Huchkov tries to kick Lamalmar off but Lamalmar keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Huchkov is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lamalmar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Huchkov tries to get to full guard but Lamalmar has control of the leg.
Lamalmar perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Huchkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Huchkov wants to get back to full guard.
Lamalmar wants to free his trapped foot but Huchkov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Huchkov wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leeroy Lamalmar dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Huchkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lamalmar throws out the jab.
Huchkov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lamalmar clobbers Huchkov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Lamalmar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Huchkov can do to turn this around?
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lamalmar.
Huchkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lamalmar.
Huchkov shoots for a takedown but Lamalmar saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Huchkov blocks a jab.
Lamalmar throws an overhand right that lands on Huchkov's shoulder, as Huchkov tries to avoid the shot.
Nice sprawl there from Lamalmar as Huchkov shoots in.

Huchkov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Huchkov looking to sit in guard and control but Lamalmar gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Huchkov managing to control the position.
Huchkov is striking but Lamalmar is not phased and passes to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huchkov wants to get back to his feet.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lamalmar in particular looking to stall.

Huchkov actively working from the bottom here.
Huchkov wants to get back to his feet.
Huchkov wants to control the action here but instead Lamalmar manages to pass to full mount!
Huchkov can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lamalmar tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Huchkov is working to get back to half guard.
Huchkov gets back to half guard.
Huchkov wants to control but Lamalmar is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Huchkov is trying to get back to full guard.
Lamalmar prevents Huchkov from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov missing with punches from the bottom.

Huchkov actively working from the bottom here.
Huchkov is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Lamalmar controlling from mount.
Huchkov is trying desperately to improve position.
Lamalmar avoids the attempt from Huchkov to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Huchkov is still trying to improve position.
Huchkov looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Lamalmar gets his hands free as Huchkov looks to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lamalmar doesn't have the hooks in and Huchkov manages to turn into his guard.
Huchkov throwing strikes from guard but Lamalmar blocks nicely.
Lamalmar pulls Huchkov in close to his closed guard and prevents Huchkov from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leeroy Lamalmar dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Lamalmar getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lamalmar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lamalmar throws a jab when Huchkov was well out of range.
Huchkov misses with a hook
letting Lamalmar counter with a right hand.

Huchkov gets a clinch.
Huchkov lands a hook that snaps the head of Lamalmar backwards.
Huchkov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Lamalmar lands a shoulder strike.

Huchkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Huchkov looks to land a right hand but Lamalmar moved out of range.
Lamalmar misses with a body shot.
Lamalmar throws the left hand but Huchkov avoids the punch easily.
Huchkov tests Lamalmar's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lamalmar misses with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lamalmar has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Huchkov finds it's way round the side to connect with Lamalmar's head.
Huchkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lamalmar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lamalmar drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huchkov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Huchkov has Lamalmar up against the cage in a clinch.
Lamalmar gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Huchkov.

Huchkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A head kick misses from Lamalmar.
Huchkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lamalmar is fending him off so far but Huchkov persists. Nope, Lamalmar circles away and we're back to standing.
Lamalmar looks to land a right hand but Huchkov moved out of range.
Lamalmar feints and then cracks Huchkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Huchkov down.
Lamalmar misses with a head kick.
Lamalmar chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Huchkov lunges at Lamalmar with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lamalmar's hand.
Lamalmar with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Huchkov to score with a decent uppercut.
Leeroy Lamalmar is winning the standup battle so far.
Huchkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lamalmar.

Huchkov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lamalmar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Huchkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lamalmar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Leeroy Lamalmar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matel Huchkov.
Huchkov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lamalmar lands with a short shot to the head.
A shot in the inside from Lamalmar.
Lamalmar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Huchkov's elbow.
Lamalmar lands an uppercut.

Huchkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lamalmar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Huchkov.
Huchkov misses with a right hand
letting Lamalmar counter with a right hand.
Huchkov moves in looking to clinch but Lamalmar pushes him off.
Huchkov throws the left hand but Lamalmar avoids the punch easily.
Huchkov fails to land the takedown.
Lamalmar throws out a leg kick but Huchkov moves out of range and Lamalmar only half commits.
Nice sprawl there from Lamalmar as Huchkov shoots in.
Huchkov slips a straight right by Lamalmar.
Huchkov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lamalmar swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jab by Lamalmar.
Lamalmar scores with the left hand. Huchkov knows he should have avoided that one.
Lamalmar looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Huchkov tries to clinch there but Lamalmar circles away.
Lamalmar lands a nice leg kick that just misses Huchkov's sensitive parts.
A swing and a miss from Lamalmar.
Huchkov throws a push kick but Lamalmar slaps the foot to one side.
Lamalmar swats away the attempt to clinch by Huchkov.
Lamalmar stuffs the takedown attempt from Huchkov. Huchkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Huchkov misses with a low kick.
Lamalmar smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

It looks like Matel Huchkov has been cut.
Lamalmar throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lamalmar misses the jab.
Matel Huchkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lamalmar defending well as Huchkov loads up on a big left hand.
Lamalmar avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Huchkov shoots in and drives through. Lamalmar sprawls well.
Huchkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Huchkov lands an overhand right.
Lamalmar throws out a loose jab but Huchkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lamalmar swats away the attempt to clinch by Huchkov.
Huchkov scores with a head kick.
Huchkov misses with a head kick.
Huchkov thows a body kick. Lamalmar tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Huchkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Huchkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Huchkov shoots in but Lamalmar avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lamalmar is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Lamalmar lands with an uppercut that bounces Huchkov off the cage and back into range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Leeroy Lamalmar.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lamalmar, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leeroy Lamalmar!
A relieved looking Leeroy Lamalmar thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.